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Greetings

I am posting some pics of this Regal Tenor Guitar that has been in my family sitting on top of a shelf at my folks house for about 45 years.

A close friend of my parents who worked with my dad played this and he said he recieved it from his Uncle many years prior as a gift. Ed the owner died when I was 4 years old and it looked old then according to my folks. As the story goes Ed had the guitar for many years as well. I am estimating the age based upon the history to be 1900-1930's, just a guess.

I have had very little success in finding out any info about this instrument, can anyone give me some tips or info?

Here are some pics








One of the sides has a crack in it running about 8" along a grain line. I am planning to just fix the crack.

All in all it is in really good shape, straight neck, nice finish, interesting figure on the back, bindings are in great shape, black, rosette, frets and peghead are all in good shape. This only has 4 strings like a Uke I would say, if deminsions help just let me know.

Any info or words of wisdom would be appreciated

What sort of info are you looking for? These are usually nice sounding if somewhat quiet instruments. There are two main tunings used: DGBE like the 4 higest pitch strings of a guitar and GDAE an octive below a mandolin. The friction pegs are usually worn out & need to be replaced - planetary banjo tuners work well & look right or you can use regular guitar tuners. Kluson style or Grover StaTites would fit the period.

Hope this helps,
GD

Thanks GD

Your information is most helpful, the tuners seem to be in fine shape, which is hard to believe.

I would like to find out when it was made more accurately and some of the history on this little guitar. What woods were used and just some general info.

Thanks Again,

Mike

Regal was one of those brand names that got sold back and forth between various owners Lyon & Healy, Tonk Bros., J.R.Stewart, Harmony and pehaps some others. They made instruments for lots of different labels - Bruno, Weymann,Stahl, Dobro and so on. From the decal on the headstock & the rosette yours looks to be early to mid 30's.
They used a wide range of woods both domestic & exotic. Yours looks like mahogany & spruce.